The Cabaret Project teams up with The Improv Shopto co-present their dynamic, fully improvised theater piece featuring live jazz standards – direct from the mythical Blue Velvet Lounge. Each performance features eight smart, funny improvisers who create the stories and sagas of the patrons of the Blue Velvet Lounge – on the spot. Surrounded by live jazz vocal standards, this character driven story is a different show each night it’s performed. The Improv Shop was awarded St. Louis Magazines A-List Award for Best Comedy Club (2014) and named Best Place For Comedy by St. Louis Post Dispatch's GO! Magazine (2015). The Blue Velvet Lounge is a perfect evening out for lovers of cabaret and comedy. Food and drink available at the Improv Shop.

Marilyn Maye

Celebrating 90 years!

March 7 & 8, 2018 11:00 am & 7:30 p.m.

Jazz St. Louis, co-presenter At The Ferring Jazz Bistro

Join in the St. Louis celebration of this musical icon’s 90th birthday!

Marilyn Maye is an iconic entertainer whom Ella Fitzgerald praised as one of her absolute favorite singers. Maye has performed with legends including Count Basie, Charlie Parker, Bucky Pizzarelli, and Michael Feinstein. Recently, Maye also brought her theatrical energy to The Appel Room at Lincoln Center in a triumphant run with an 18-piece big band. She is a famously engaging crowd-pleaser and one of the remaining geniuses from the golden age of show business. Still at the top of her game, this award-winning Grammy nominated singer holds the record for appearances by a singer on the Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson - 76 times! Perhaps the simplest Marilyn Maye accolade came after one of her show-stopping appearances on The Tonight Show when turning to his audience of millions, Johnny Carson said, “And that, young singers, is the way it’s done.”

Norm Lewis

Funded in part by THE MISSOURI ARTS COUNCIL

Tony nominated Broadway star of Phantom of the Opera, Porgy and Bess, Les Miserables and more

Saturday April 7, 2018 8:00 p.m. The Sheldon Concert Hall

“..among the most reliably impressive voices on Broadway” – New York Times

Norm Lewis recently performed the dream role of the Phantom in Broadway’s Phantom of the Opera – the first African American actor to take on the iconic role. “In his big solo “The Music of the Night,” Mr. Lewis’s supple phrasing and power combined to gorgeous effect.” (New York Times). Previous to that triumphant performance he received Tony, Drama Desk, Drama League, and Outer Critics Circle award nominations for his performance as Porgy in the Broadway revival of The Gershwins’ Porgy & Bess, opposite Audra MacDonald. Other Broadway credits include Sondheim on Sondheim, The Little Mermaid, Les Misérables, Chicago, Amour, The Wild Party, Side Show, Miss Saigon, and The Who’s Tommy. In London’s West End he has appeared as Javert in Les Misérables and Les Misérables: The 25th Anniversary Concert, which aired on PBS. His solo work has been featured on PBS’ Great Performances and his standout portrayal of Joe in Showboat was featured on PBS’ Live From Lincoln Center.